The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

If it looks like a furry squeeky toy, smells like a furry squeeky toy, rolls like a furry squeeky toy, and sounds like a furry squeeky toy, then pardon me for my inappropriate use of logic in learning that you are not a squeeky toy. The Woman will pay for your psychotherapy.




If you would learn to be a tad calmer in civilized society, then your person would not have to leave you locked up in the pick-up truck. Barking insults at me through the glass does not improve your country bumpkin image. I got to mark the shubberies; you did not. Cope.




You are not me. Don't even try.


I Am Shiba. My words are The Alpha and The Omega.

Some Brief Updates

1. The Woman is fine. The biopsy results came back and she is not in any health dangers although I still think that she suffers from moments of psychosis. This is because she has been diagnosed with a condition called "men-and-paws" which means that she blames everything on men and things with paws. So, The Man, The Felines, and me are always in trouble now.

And this is different . . . how?

2. The new toy that I got is not a Kong toy although it looks like a Kong toy. The Kong Toy company told me that they do not make the toy that I thought was a Kong Toy. So while I still think that Kong toys are the best and that this toy really looks and feels like a Kong Toy, it is not.


I Am Shiba. I Just Like to Keep People Informed.

The Greatest Toy In the World

It has been a miserable week for The Shiba. First, a weekend of rain so no fabulous walks in my territories or into the hills or to check on my squirrels. Then, very cold temperatures so The Woman (again) limited her walks because *she* was cold - *I* had no issues or complaints. Then The Woman went back to school on Thursday and it started to snow and I was with The Man and it just was not right! Friday, finally, I was allowed to go to Squirrel Park only to find NOT ONE SQUIRREL! I was so disappointed. But then, the greatest thing happened:

The Woman gave me a new Kong toy.

It is such a cool toy. It is a round rubber ring with three little bells built in so it makes music when I shake it. The Man and I can play Tug-of-War with it, and it does not break!

http://www.kongcompany.com/

Kongs are the greatest toys for Shibas. As we are prone to destruction (I have been timed in destroying stuffed toys in under 4 minutes), Kongs are one of the few toys that withstand our determination. And my other Kong, when I see it, often has treats and peanut butter inside. Yummy!

And this morning, The Woman took me on a nice walk. Even though it was windy, it was at least sunny and she was more in the mood to travel some distance. We played the game of "find the recyclables" which means that I get to find plastic bottles hidden in the bushes, which is almost, but not quite as cool, as finding a squirrel.


I Am Shiba. The Weekend Is Looking Better and Better!

Sunday Morning Dietary Musings

It is a foggy, misty morning. My morning walk was short because my paws were getting soaked from all the rain that we have been having lately. I had to answer several scentmails that had been left for me on my favorite trees but between the weather and my hatred of wet paws, our outside interlude was short and to the point. I came, I smelled, I peed, and I went home. Tonight will most likely be no better. It will be colder and wetter. I smell the snow that is building in the West. I am lacking my full winter coat since the weather has been so mild. I am wondering how fast I can make more fur before the ice and deep freeze arrives.

I have heard through the canine political grapevine that there is now a dietary drug for my overweight amigos. I am aghast at this, and Their People who will purchase this drug in order to help their pooches loose their paunches. I admit that I lilke a good treat as well as the next mutt, but the only way that I can get my treats is if The Woman or The Man deem me worthy. I like cheese and eggs in my breakfast bowl and I adore pizza crust for a late night snack. However, My People walk me twice a day and keep close eye on my weight, as well as their own. They may not be the most athletic of individuals, but at least they move around periodically.

This drug, created by Pfizer, helped 550 dogs lose weight when diets had normally failed. Of these dogs, 80% of their owners and tried and failed to help their dogs lose weight. I ask, what are the dietary habits of the owners and how often do they "cheat" at their own dietary health? Like well-behaved children, the household dog is a reflection of The People who care for it. I am, of course, assuming that overweight people and dogs go hand in hand, but this quote supports my ill-begotten logic:

"We've had anecdotal stories from pet owners," Wilson said, " The dog starts losing weight . . . initiates play more, and that actually made the owner become more active and lose weight."

But which came first: the overweight canine or the overweight owner?

As a healthy, relatively active Shiba, I abhore the idea that a fellow canine might be receiving medicine to help him lose weight, and I resent the idea that we initiate play when we weigh less. We initiate play because we want attention; unfortunately, all too often, people ignore us and we learn to be quiet and lie around because no one wants to play with us. Thankfully, not every canine is just viewed as a household object. Some of us are actually treated as a dog should be.

Medicating pets for health reasons is one thing; medicating a dog because he is fat is another. What is next? Gastric Bypass surgery when we get spayed or neutered?

My mind boggles with the thought.



I Am Shiba. Second Breakfasts are Good, but only in Moderation.